[Eating patterns of school-aged children and adolescents in Poland - questionnaire investigations]

The aim of the investigations carried out by the National Institute of Mother and Child in school-aged children and adolescents including a group of obese pupils, was to assess the health behaviour concerning eating habits and food consumption. A part of these investigations was carried out in framework of international collaborative studies. In a representative group of pupils in Poland, we found that vegetable, dark bread and milk consumption remained on low level, while the use of soft drinks increased. The number of children who ate breakfast at home and lunch at school decreased especially in girls. We found a statistically evident difference in eating habits between obese adolescents and these with normal body mass, especially concerning regularity of meal consumption. We find, that it is very difficult to change incorrect eating habits in obese adolescents. We observe in our outpatient clinic, that obese adolescents have changed the quantity of food, but they haven't changed their habits. The recommended by dietitions increase of fruits, vegetables and low fat milk consumption in their diet was not generally accepted.